Joseph Caruana Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

I met with Dr Caruana and his PA, Marc and was very impressed. They both appear to be caring individuals who are devoted to helping people with obesity. They gave thorough explanations about the surgery procedure and risks.

What a kind and caring doctor this man is!!! Great manner of speaking WITH his patients, not AT them. Dr. Caruana exphasizes after care in a big way - that is why he chose not to continue as a provider of Independent Health insurance company. Speaks about all of the risks, possible complications of surgery as well as the benefits. I am very pleased.

Dr. Caruana is a vary understanding person that will listen to you. His staff is great they will help you all the way. I do not think their was anything that I did not like.He explained aftercare and risks in normal words so you could understand him without having a medical background.

I liked him very much. He just started having
siminars because the response to the surgery
was overwelming ... he was very much to the
point to pussy footing around on all the comp-
plactions you could have i like that about
him and his staff is wonderfull they dont look
down at you for being fat..they take thier
time explaining things and his asst! oh yea
baby if only i was 20 years younger...lol

My first impression of Dr. "C" was a good one, he seemed to be informative, and patient answering my husbands questions. I like a Dr who looks you in the eyes when speaking to you, Dr. "C" did this. He also speaks in terms you can understand. His PA Marc was also very good with me. He is kind caring considerate, an excellent bedside manner.

I researchd the RNY procedure for almost 6 months. I kept hearing Dr Caruana's name, and checked him out. His standing with the medical board was excellent, as was his reputation locally with other Dr's. being as I work in the medical field, I felt comfortable hearing from other Dr's and nurses that he is an excellent surgeon. Also, his staff De-Anne and Rhonda, as well as his PA Mark were all very nice and helpful, and moved the whole process along very quickly for me. There are monthly support mtgs as well as aftercare programs that the Dr and his staff facillitate. I have not had the surgery yet, am scheduled for 5/30/02, but so far my experience with the DR and his staff has been very positive.Will keep everyone updated. :)Just an updat..Dr Caruana is terrific as is all of his staff. My scar is not that big, and healing very well. Dr C really follows thru with what he says, he met with us twice before surgery to give excercise and nutrition tips, and is friendly and get this.....on time :) I would recommend him highly to anyone researching this surgery!

I totally enjoyed meeting Dr. Caruana. He is very friendly and informative. Right off the bat, he tells you that there are risks involved and explains to you what they are. He takes the time to sit and discuss any questions/concerns you have about the surgery. All in all, I left the consultation feeling much more secure in my decision to have the surgery. :)

Dr. Caruana struck me as professional, confident and assured. I felt that I could trust him and even asked about his previous experience. As of 4/23/2002 he has done 220 weight loss surgeries. His statistics about post-op complications and weight lost by those who had surgery with him were quite good. I liked the fact that he presented factual information; and he was balanced - here's the good and here's the less good. Before doing WLS, he has extensive experience in gastro-intestinal surgery. He and his physician's assistant, Marc, are also certified personal fitness trainers (that may not be the correct title) and are developing exercise classes for their patients, which is definitely a plus. They are concerned about helping patients' continue to be successful. His staff is caring and supportive; they understood when I called to check if my insurance approval had been received. And also my need to make sure that my boss was okay when the surgical date was closer than I thought it would be.

His waiting room is filled with people in various stages of WLS. The day (4/23) I was there for my initial consultation, there were people who had surgery on 4/10 and were glowing with health and success. There were also people who had lost over 100 pounds and down to a person, everyone said that they would do the surgery all over again. All the patients were upbeat and willing to share their experiences. It was one of the happiest and family of people who did not know each other that I've ever seen.

Dr. Caruana holds 2 pre-surgical nutrition and exercise classes.

I would think that surgical comptence is the most important. As an adult, I prefer a compassionate but professional manner.

Dr. Caruana was my surgeon twice before. Once in 1994 he fixed a hernia and 1996 removed my gallbladder laparscopically. I think he is a very thorough, easy to talk to man.
I had my 1st consult regarding rny surgery on April 23rd. I was first examined by his assistant Marc who got all my medical history and examined my stomach and old scars (which are very small). I then spent about 15 minutes with Dr. Carauna who explained the surgery with a colored pic and showed me a list of all the complications he has had since starting this surgery. They give you a consent form to read and sign, either there or at home. I signed and now am waiting to be called with my surgery date.

The only negative thing I could say was that the office was very busy and I was left with not quite knowing when they would call me to let me know when surgery would take place.I think surgical competence and beside manner go hand in hand. Dr. Caruana has this.

Got my date yesterday.. June 3rd.. That wasn't too bad.. Took 9 days from the date of consult to get a surgery date.

He is very warm and caring, very thorough discussed both the benefits and risks of the surgery. he doesnt do lap right now he feels more comfortable with open, he could do it just because people want it and he doesnt. He is a gastrointenstinal surgeon with years experience and did special training in bariatric surgery.He doesnt take Independant Health insurance because they wont cover follow up care and he feels it is necessary. His follow up is an all around program exercise, nutrition, he stresses that this is a life style change. His office staff is terrific and his office is designed to accomadate larger people.
No arms on the waiting room chairs, the blood pressure cuff actually went around my arm with room to spare and didnt pop off.
The gown in the examining room actually fit with room to spare and I wear a 3x.
That type of sensitivity to the needs of large people says a lot about the doctor and his staff in my opinion.
he hasnt done my surgery yet so I cant rate him on surgical competence yet.